Friday, September 23, 2016

Evil Thoughts of Evil People

Evil people and foolish. This
indicated where the following passage, from the Old Testament Book (Wisdom of
Solomon 1:16-3:12) is leading. Are we to support the evil practices in our
lives or are we to aspire to a greater existence, to communion with God, to the
continuation of our lives in the Kingdom of God, being part of life eternal. We
can think only of this life…however, what will happen when we depart this life
and enter the next chapter of our existence? Will we then decide to change our
life, our practices, our beliefs? This might be too late. Let us aspire to stay
away from evil people and evil thoughts; let us aspire to reach communion with
our Creator.

16 The words and deeds of evil people are an
invitation to death. They think of death as friendly and desirable— they are
partners with death, just as they deserve. 1Their foolish minds lead them to
say to each other: “Life is short and sad— the end is certain to come, and no
one escapes the grave. 2Only by chance were we born, and after we are gone, everything
will be as though we had never been. Our breath is merely smoke, and reason is
a spark from the beat of our hearts. 3When that beating ends, our bodies turn
to dust, and our spirits vanish into thin air. 4In time we will be forgotten and
so will our deeds. Life disappears like a cloud; it melts away like mist in the
heat of the sun. 5Time fades away like a shadow, and no one returns from death.
6 “So make the most of life, especially
while you're young. 7Drink the very best wine, wear expensive perfume, and
enjoy the spring flowers. 8Decorate your head with rosebuds before they wilt. 9Do
your share of celebrating! Party always and everywhere— that's what life is all
about. 10Abuse the poor and the honest! And do the same to widows and old
people. 11After all, might is right, and weakness is useless. 12 “Destroy law-abiding people! Get them out of
the way. All they do is condemn you for breaking the law and doing what we know
is wrong. 13They claim to know the Lord God and to be his children. 14That's
why they criticize your very thoughts. 15“Just looking at good people is a
heavy burden— their lifestyle is so different; in fact, it's strange. 16They
think you're trash, and they won't have anything to do with you. They claim God
is their Father and that he will reward them. 17“So test what they say by
watching them die. 18If those so-called good people really are God's children, he
will look after them. 19We will insult and torture them to find out how gentle and
patient they are. 20We will sentence them to a shameful death— after all, they
have said that they will be protected.” Evil People Are Foolish 21That's the
reasoning of those who are evil, and they are both blind and foolish. 22They
don't understand what God has in mind, and they don't know the reward for
living right. 23 God created us to live
forever, just as he himself does. 24But death entered the world because the
devil was jealous, and so all his followers die. 1The souls of those who have
pleased God are safe in his hands and protected from pain. 2 Only in the minds of the foolish are those
people dead and their death considered a disaster 3or a destruction. In fact,
they are at peace 4and destined never to die, though others may have thought they
were being punished. 5 They will be
richly rewarded, because God tested them for a while and found them worthy of
being his children. 6God tested them like gold in a fiery furnace, and he
accepted them like a pleasing sacrifice. 7When God shows them mercy, they will
be like shining sparks setting weeds on fire. 8The Lord will rule them forever and
let them rule over nations. 9All of God's faithful people will understand truth
and live with him in love, because God is kind and merciful to those he chooses
to be his holy people. Punishment for the Wicked 10The wicked will be punished,
as their evil thoughts deserve. They rebelled against the Lord and abused his
people. 11They are terribly miserable, because they reject wisdom and sound
advice. Their future is hopeless, and everything they do is completely useless.
12Their wives are foolish; their children are evil and under God's curse.

About Me

I have studied Theology at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Theology, International Relations at the University of London (Queen Mary). My Master's Thesis was published as a book: 'The Aegean Sea Dispute Between Greece and Turkey - The Consequences for NATO and the EU'. For more information see: http://www.akakia.net/el/the-aegean-sea-dispute-between-greece-and-turkey
I have also studied Byzantine Music in Athens and I am currently undertaking a research on the “Fellowship of St. Alban and St. Sergius and its contribution towards Anglican – Orthodox Relations”, at the University of Winchester.
I also represent the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain at the A.E.C.A. If you wish to contact me you can email me: demetrifs1@yahoo.com